Digital winners pictures taken by Kirk Oudbier, Spartan Speedway Track PhotographerPhoto reprints and souvenirs are available at the track photography booth.

WEEKLY RACE SUMMARYby Todd Cumming

Rookie Sensation Gaier Shines in Spartan Spotlight

Well as the northeast sat in the worst blackout that our great nation has ever scene, the spotlight was shining at Spartan Speedway as MMA rookie sensation, Michael Gaier won his first ever WIBM AM1450 Modified feature in stealer fashion on Mason State Bank Night. Dave Mingus took the early lead as Gaier followed from his second row starting position. Gaier took over the lead on lap 22 as Bob Bauer claimed 2nd and shadowed the seasoned rookie for the last half of the race. Bud Perry quickly joined the lead battle and passed Mingus for 3rd on lap 31. The race was tight from 4th through 10th as the packed diced for position, but all eyes were up front as Gaier brought home the always popular first win over Bauer, Perry, Mingus and Earl Miles. Perry was the 3D Auto Racing Supplies Hard Charger as he finished 3rd from his 11th starting spot.

Ken Buchner, Wayne Haughton and Dan Logan won the heat races as Jason Parish won the RaceFan.Com Semi- Feature. Bud Perry was the Valvoline Fast Qualifier for the 29-car field.

The 50-lap Comcast Cablevision Super Late Model feature had an 11-car invert with Lee Taylor and Gary Fedewa on the front row. 2003 leading rookie contender, Taylor took the early lead and looked to be on his way to his first super late model win when he pulled into the infield on lap 19. Fedewa inherited the lead on the restart as Tim Ryan followed. Lap 22 had point's leader, Jack Landis on the charge until he made contact with the front stretch wall fighting Dunvion for 5th. Landis fell back to 7th as Charlie Ryan Jr. and Jeff Hackworth joined in to create side by side racing from 5th through 8th position. Lap 30 had Fedewa and Ryan stretching to a straight away lead as John Ledwidge got by Jimmy Gallagher for 3rd. Ryan spent the last half of the race trying to get under Fedewa for the lead and a lap 36 restart had Ryan getting into the left quarter panel of Fedewa in turn 1. Ryan allowed Fedewa to gather it back up as Ledwidge took over 2nd. Fedewa went on for the win, subbing for Doug Finley as Ledwidge, Ryan, Charlie Ryan Jr and a busy Jack Landis rounded out the top 5. Charlie Ryan Jr. won his 7th Pierce Race Engines Hard Charger Award finishing 4th from his 12th starting spot.

Dale Eglon of Parma took his first checkered flag in heat #1, while Stan Perry and John Dunivon won the other heats. Ken Kirby won the RaceFan.com Semi-Feature and Jeff Hackworth set fast time for the 26-car field.

The Performance NW Street Stocks 25-lap feature had a 14-car invert with Bob Flotka and Wayne Beckner Jr. the starting front row. A wild start had Flotka taking the early lead with Dave Thorburn jumping into 2nd. A lap 7 caution flew for Mike Havens spinning on the backstretch while dueling with Jonathan Eppler for 3rd. Thorburn jumped under Flotka on the restart and brought Eppler with him. Mike McEwan was the car on the move as he then took over lead on lap 13 with Ben Hidy as his shadow. Hidy then claimed the lead on lap 14 and went on for the victory. McEwan spun in turn 4 running 2nd three laps from the finish allowing Pat Dent to take 2nd followed by Dave Parker, Thorburn and Eppler. Hidy cleaned house by posting his 7th Lost Tiger Tattoos Hard Charger Award.

Corey Davis, Jeff Titmus and Dave Parker claimed heat race wins as Trent Jensen won the RaceFan.com Semi-Feature. Ben Hidy once again was the fast qualifier for the 18th consecutive night.

The Midwest Amusement Pony Stocks had a large 24-car feature with Jerri Lynn Munn and Lyndsey Ward the starting front row. Manny Goodrich jumped to the lead from the 2nd row. Julie Abbott was working the high side and took the lead on lap 3. A lap 5 caution ended Goodrich's fine top 5 run as she got together with Jimmy Scavarda. The restart had Chris Van Gorden spinning Scavarda and being sent to the rear. The race was shortened due to the curfew and Abbott claimed her 4th win of the season over Kenny Clark, Scavarda in his best finish of the year in 3rd, Jason Huey and Trei Dubel. Abbott also was the Mac's All Car Hard Charger winning from her 12th starting spot. Scott Sigman, Missy Bishop and Bruce Jones won the heats. Kenny Clark was the Valvoline Fast Qualifier for the evening.

This week is the last race of the year before the big Labor Day weekend spectacular as we run Season Championships on Friday August 29th and on the 31st it's the Harvest 250! Once again we have added an open competition night on Sunday September 7th to close out the season at The Track the Stars Call Home- Spartan Speedway.